Epimetheus created a variety of animals and due to their lack of foresight, he lavished the animals with gifts along the lines of excellent speed and endurance and the ability to see, smell and hear beyond the norm.
Zeus originally sent Titans to punish Prometheus for fighting against him in the Titanomachy, but the second-generation Titan Prometheus did not side with his aunts, uncles, and brother Atlas, so he was spared.
He was assigned to create men from water and earth. Unfortunately, Zeus didn’t bring into account that Prometheus would become fonder of his men than of Zeus, the king of the Gods. Prometheus secretly stole fire from Zeus’ lightning, concealed it, and brought it back to man on earth. Prometheus also stole skills from Hephaestus and Athena to give it to man.
With these new skills provided by Prometheus, Man became successors over the Animals who had previously hunted them down.
Zeus believed Prometheus's actions were unjust and thought only Gods should have the ability to create fire.
Prometheus also deceived Zeus by giving good cattle to man instead of the Gods.
He decided to punish his creation of man by sending in the first woman, Pandora
Each God gave her gifts. Hephaestus shaped her from clay and made her look flawless and beautiful. Aphrodite, gave her femininity and sexuality, and Athena gave her craftsmanship . Hermes also taught her to be very deceitful and curious
Zeus also gave her a box that concealed all the world evils
Due to her curious nature, she opened the box, and released a multitude of inflictions on man
Afterward, Zeus punished Prometheus and his foolish ways by chaining him to a rock, where an eagle comes to rest everyday, and everyday, his liver is eaten from the inside . But every night, the liver grows back, so this cycle is repeated everyday. Prometheus’s punishment ultimately lasts for a few centuries before Hercules rescues him.
This is a classical example of a hubris/punishment and a curious explanation. Prometheus's inevitable downfall was caused by his deceitful nature to Zeus, the king of the Gods. It reveals that nobody should ever lie or steal, and that any form of deception or larsony justifies punishment. It is also a curious explanation, because it gives the Greeks comfort in knowing their origin, and how they were formed, how and why women were formed, how animals were formed, and how we discovered fire.
Some modern connections include Prometheus Therapy Solutions, which aims in helping others.
Fun Fact: Prometheus and Hermes, considered trickster gods, were the only ones given the gift of fire. Hermes is credited for producing it.
Fun Fact: Prometheus and Hermes, considered trickster gods, were the only ones given the gift of fire. Hermes is credited for producing it.
Sources: Prometheus in Greek Mythology
Prometheus - The Bringer of Fire